After a tumultuous summer transfer window featuring two pre-season derby losses, we have come upon the first derby of the 2015-16 season. Inter came into this with two wins out of two while the Rossoneri came with just three points from two games. With the transfer window and its moves finally a thing of the past, this was the first game where the teams have been able to gel in their final form. Onto the Madonnina, one very awaited, on and off pitch Madonnina.
Milan lined up with familiar faces mixed with new hungry blood, of concern being the new South American front line:
Lopez; Abate, Zapata, Romagnoli, De Sciglio; Kucka, Montolivo, Bonaventura; Honda; Luiz Adriano, Bacca
Inter’s much anticipated & revolutionized 4-3-3 consisted of a very fast backline with Medel slotting into Miranda’s vacant spot, a strongman midfield, and a mercurial top three:
Handanovic; Santon, Medel, Murillo, Jesus; Guarin, Melo, Kondogbia; Perisic, Icardi, Jovetic.
The first half started at an incredible tempo. Both sides made it clear that pragmatism was a thing of the past. In the 2nd minute this became too apparent as Murillo gifted a lazy pass to Bacca who led Luiz Adriano to a shot on goal saved miraculously by Handanovic. Luiz Adriano showed great movement but lackluster end product all first half.
Inter showed a veracity in chasing the ball down and regaining possession, pressing Milan high and forcing erroneous balls. Felipe Melo showed exactly what was needed and expected from him; strength and experience. Grinta defined. Handanovic had a string of good saves before the 30th minute.
Abate was given a yellow card in the 20th minute for fouling Jovetic as Inter strung together fluid link-up plays. Medel showed great interceptions and strength in the air if his and especially Murillo’s positioning lacked at times. Milan showed good play on the left between the 35th and 40th minutes as a battle raged on between Juan Jesus and Juraj Kucka. The former Genoa midfielder drew a yellow out of JJ a minute before JJ put in a vital tackle in the box to start a counter.
Honda received a yellow as the tackles flew in and the true feeling of a Milan Derby became apparent. Inter began to rise again with counters towards the end of the first period. Diego Lopez made an incredible toe-tip save to deny Icardi a goal at the death of the first half after a mazy run from Jovetic.
All was even at the stroke of half time as both teams visited the locker rooms.
The second half started with both teams lining up as they began. The tackles flew in from the get go with Guarin showing an amazing one on the sideline. Crosses rained in from the Nerazzurri with no real end product. Perisic was able to find Guarin with a particularly good one from the left however. Jovetic began to lose the impact he had earlier giving away possession several times from good positions.
To take the limelight from him in amazing fashion, Kondogbia put together quite a few incredible runs, darting through several Milanese midfielders and defenders at a time. Ball seemed glued to his feet at times. Perfect mix of strength and panache. Showing his worth. Inter’s attacks however, were not showing worth.
Carlos Bacca came to with a dangerous run setting up a chance that went out for corner. Both teams began to lose connection in the final third and gave up possession quite a lot. The 50th-55th minutes were filled with corners and headed chances.
The 58th minute was filled with something else for Interisti; relief and jubilation. Guarin was fed through by Santon, and with Icardi’s run making space, Fredy curled a beautiful left-footed shot into the far post side netting. 1-0! If only that’s how he always shot the damned ball. Enough though, today he hears plaudits and no less.
Milan meant to react and certainly did in the 61st minute through the substitution of Bacca to bring on the mix of Judas, Anakin, and every tragic protagonist ever combined, Mario Balotelli. His first action was a dangerous free kick. He would provide more of those during the next 30 minutes. He would also provide plenty of drama and diving, but what’s new eh? One such occasion led to a Felipe Melo yellow card. A Melo yellow. A Mellow Yellow. A brand of soda. Anyway.
Just minutes later, Juraj Kucka tackled Juan Jesus after the Brazilian darted away from several Milanese attackers. This resulted in a yellow card and JJ being stretchered off to make way for Alex Telles. Inter came close to scoring in the 70th minute from an acrobatic header from Icardi deflecting out. Kucka would make another dangerous challenge that prompted his substitution in place of Andrea Poli. Inter would match it with Jovetic coming off in place of Rodrigo Palacio.
Balotelli made sure to take advantage of the situation and make as big an impact as he could. His dribbling seemed reborn as did his shooting as he danced into the Inter box, gaining a corner. Three minutes later, in the 78th he would hit the post from outside the box after losing his marker with a bit of flashy footwork.
Geoffrey Kondogbia would not be overshadowed in that department however, with pressure building on Inter, the Frenchman showed magical touches as he dipped and dodged a swarm of Rossoneri. Something else that dipped was a Balotelli free kick that Handanovic saved well. If he can’t do anything, he can still strike a ball.
One particular moment I loved during the match was after Milan’s substitution of Honda for Cerci. Guarin fouled Balotelli, and Icardi came sprinting to break up the altercation, Guarin smiled and held back. I love seeing that, especially from someone so many said could not be a captain and a leader.
Something really stupid followed, as Perisic seemed to injure himself attempting a pointlessly acrobatic clearance on the 18, fluffing the contact. Ranocchia came on for the Croatian. Milan’s attacks became more and more frantic and this forced the Inter defenders to make quick decisions.
Murillo made up for almost gifting a goal with one amazing interception-come-counter in the 86th minute as he slid and got back up to restart the attack. The Nerazzurri had a couple fluid counters in the next couple minutes, one ending with a corner after Kondogbia showed brilliant ball control again. Murillo attempted an overhead kick from the cross. Man that guy loves to attack. Exactly why I really want Miranda back as soon as possible.
Ranocchia made his impact on the game as he slid to tackle the ball out from a dangerous through ball for Luiz Adriano. Bonaventura, not Guarin, was shooting birds from several of the corners Milan had during extra time as Inter defended much more assuredly than in years past to hold the result.
Final whistle blew and I started writing this. AFTER running through the college residence hall I am the Resident Assistant on, kissing the badge on my shirt and singing. Forreal though, c’e solo l’inter doe…
This game was a relief, and should calm many nerves about Inter not being the real deal this year. Medel proved he can play in central defense for club, and not only country as well. That is nine points out of nine possible. Three wins out of three, and quite a litmus test for the new players, and the coach’s tactics given those players he had requested. We saw grinta back in our team, holding onto a result as part of our identity again. Now more of this.
Avanti.
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